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Abstract:

Provided is an automobile side airbag guide plate including support
brackets disposed at both sides of a center pillar, fixed to an inner
panel between a roof panel and a head liner, and supporting a lower part
of an airbag module, wherein each of the support brackets includes a
vertical part fixed to the inner panel between the roof panel and the
head liner, and a horizontal support part extending from the vertical
part to support the lower part of the airbag module fixed to the inner
panel.

Claims:

1. An automobile side airbag guide plate comprising:support brackets
disposed at both sides of a center pillar, fixed to an inner panel
between a roof panel and a head liner, and supporting a lower part of an
airbag module,wherein each of the support brackets comprises:a vertical
part fixed to the inner panel between the roof panel and the head liner;
anda horizontal support part having a hollow part and extending from the
vertical part to support the lower part of the airbag module fixed to the
inner panel.

2. The automobile side airbag guide plate according to claim 1, wherein
the hollow part of the horizontal support part has a dimension that
gradually decreases from the center pillar to its either end.

3. An automobile side airbag guide plate comprising an airbag housing
having an airbag tube, a door, and a guide plate,wherein the airbag tube
is installed in the airbag housing and disposed at a boundary between a
center pillar and a head liner,the door is opened at one side by the
deployed airbag tube,the guide plate is fixed to an inner panel at its
one side using a fixing means, andthe guide plate has a support part bent
from a lower end thereof to support a lower surface of the airbag
housing.

4. The side aitag guide plate according to claim 3, wherein the support
part has a bent part bent in a longitudinal direction thereof to form an
"L" shape.

5. The side aitag guide plate according to claim 3, wherein the support
part has a bent part formed at one side thereof in a tilted manner.

6. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 4, wherein the bent part
has a height such that the door of the airbag housing is disposed at a
level higher than or equal to an upper end of the center pillar upon
deployment of the airbag tube.

7. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 5, wherein the bent part
has a height such that the door of the airbag housing is disposed at a
level higher than or equal to an upper end of the center pillar upon
deployment of the airbag tube.

8. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 6, wherein the guide
plate has a plurality of elongated holes.

9. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 7, wherein the guide
plate has a plurality of elongated holes.

10. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 8, wherein the guide
plate has a coating layer formed thereon.

11. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 9, wherein the guide
plate has a coating layer formed thereon.

12. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 10, wherein the coating
layer is formed of synthetic resin or fabric, andthe coating layer is
formed at the support part and the bent part of the guide plate.

13. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 11, wherein the coating
layer is formed of synthetic resin or fabric, andthe coating layer is
formed at the support part and the bent part of the guide plate.

14. An automobile side airbag guide plate comprising:a fixing member
having an installation hole into which a bolt is fastened;a support part
bent from a lower end of the fixing member; andan extension part
extending from the support part.

15. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 14, wherein the
extension part extends from one side of the support part in a direction
in which an inflator is disposed.

16. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 15, wherein the
extension part extends from both sides of the support part.

17. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 15, wherein the
extension part has a guide part bent from an end of the support part.

18. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 16, wherein the
extension part has a guide part bent from an end of the support part.

19. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 17, wherein the fixing
member has rectangular holes at both sides of the installation hole,
andeach of the rectangular holes has a fixing hook bent backward.

20. The side airbag guide plate according to claim 18, wherein the fixing
member has rectangular holes at both sides of the installation hole,
andeach of the rectangular holes has a fixing hook bent backward.

Description:

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/544,169,
filed on Oct. 6, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003]The present invention relates to an automobile side airbag guide
plate, and more particularly, to an automobile side airbag guide plate
enabling stable deployment of a side airbag installed between a roof
panel and a head liner into the automobile upon collision.

[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005]An automobile airbag, like a safety belt, is a device for protecting
a driver/passenger from injury in a collision.

[0006]Airbags may be installed in the steering wheel in front of the
driver seat, in the glove box in front of the passenger seat, and at both
sides of the automobile, i.e., between head liners adjacent to doors and
roof panels. The airbags, along with safety belts, function using a
collision detection sensor and an electronic control unit (ECU) to
protect passengers in a collision.

[0007]In a collision, the collision detection sensor outputs a detection
signal to the ECU, the ECU activates the airbag, and the airbag is then
inflated by an inflator.

[0008]The inflator is connected to the airbag, which is initially in a
folded state, and is operated by the ECU. A built-in heater heats up to
ignite gunpowder and instantly combust a gas generation agent such that a
large amount of nitrogen gas (hereinafter, referred to simply as "gas")
is rapidly injected into the airbag to expand the airbag.

[0009]Thus, the airbag inflates upon collision to protect the driver and
passengers) from impact to the head and upper torso.

[0010]The side airbags function to prevent injury due to impact against
doors of the automobile in a sideways collision, which will be described
with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0011]As shown in FIG. 1, a side airbag 10 (hereinafter, referred to as an
"airbag module") is installed to be deployed toward a center pillar,
i.e., a B-pillar installed between a roof panel (not shown), and a head
liner 4.

[0012]The airbag module 10 includes an inflator 20 installed therein and
controlled by an ECU (not shown) depending on collision intensity to
inject a large amount of gas into an airbag tube 16.

[0013]Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of inner panels 6 and reinforcement
brackets 8 installed between the roof panel and the head liner 4. The
head liner 4 includes a door trim and a center pillar 2 installed
adjacent to each other.

[0014]That is, the head liner 4 has a threshold 4a stepped toward the
inner panels 6. The threshold 4a is installed adjacent to an upper end of
the center pillar 2.

[0015]As described above, the airbag module 10 is installed adjacent to
the head liner 4 and the center pillar 2.

[0016]The airbag module 10 is installed at one side of a housing 12, i.e.,
a mounting part 12a is bolted to the inner panel 6, and an airbag tube 16
is disposed in the housing 12 in a folded state. A door 12b is installed
at one side of the housing 12 to be opened by the airbag tube 16.

[0017]Specifically, the door 12b opened by the airbag tube 16 is detached
from the housing 12 at its upper end when the airbag rube 12b is
deployed, and then is rotated to be in contact with an upper end of the
center pillar 2, thereby blocking a space between the center pillar 2 and
the inner panel 6 to stably guide deployment of the airbag tube 16.

[0018]In addition, since the center pillar 2 in contact with the head
liner 4 includes a seat belt (not shown) installed therein such that the
center pillar 2 projects inward from the automobile, it is possible to
prevent the airbag tube 16 from entering into a space between the center
pillar 2 and the inner panel 6 when the airbag tube 16 is deployed.

[0019]In addition, a guide plate 14 is installed at a lower surface of the
housing 12, i.e., a surface adjacent to the center pillar 2, such that
the airbag tube 16 is deployed to be in contact with the inner panel 6
and control rotation of the lower surface of the housing 12 to put the
door 12b in stable contact with the center pillar 2.

[0020]That is, the airbag tube 16 is deployed such that the lower surface
of the housing 12 is pushed downward at the same time the upper end of
the door 12b is detached from the housing 12. At this time, the housing
12 and the guide plate 14 are in contact with the inner panel 6 to
control rotation of the lower surface of the housing 12, and the door 12b
is in stable contact with the upper end of the center pillar 2 to block a
space between the center pillar 2 and the inner panel 6, thereby
preventing the airbag tube 16 from entering into the space.

[0021]Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 with an imaginary line, the airbag
tube 16 is stably deployed into the automobile, not into the space
between the center pillar 2 and the inner panel 6, by blocking the space
between the center pillar 2 and the inner panel 6 using the guide plate
14 and the door 12b of the housing 12, thereby effectively protecting the
side of the head and upper torso.

[0022]Here, as shown by the imaginary line of FIG. 2, the head liner 4 has
an opening line separated from the upper end of the center pillar 2 by
the door 12b so that the airbag tube 16 is discharged through the opening
and deployed into the automobile.

[0023]Meanwhile, since the airbag tube 16 inflates at a high speed and
under high pressure, the head liner 4 guides deployment of the airbag
tube 16 along the opening line.

[0024]However, the head liner 4 is sequentially opened from a rear end, at
which the inflator 20 is disposed, to a front end of the automobile,
together with deployment of the airbag tube 16.

[0025]At this time, the opening line of the head liner 4 projects more
than an initial installation position from the center pillar 2 into the
interior of the automobile, and is depressed less than an initial
installation position from both sides of the center pillar 2 into the
chassis, i.e., the inner panel 6. As a result, the head liner 4 around
the center pillar 2 cannot be smoothly opened thereby hindering smooth
deployment of the airbag tube 16 and endangering the driver/passenger.

[0026]The guide plate 14 is also a very important component of the airbag
module 10 which may determine survival of the driver/passenger in a
collision. However, since the guide plate 14 rotated with the lower
surface of the housing 12 has a simple plate shape which is not very
strong, it may be broken due to gas pressure when the airbag tube 16 is
deployed, rather than being in contact with the inner panel 6 to absorb
shock

[0027]In this case, the door 12b formed of a thin film collides with the
upper end of the center pillar 2 and is damaged or folded and inserted
between the center pillar 2 and the inner panel 6. As a result, the
deployed airbag tube 16 may enter into a space between the center pillar
2 and the inner panel 6, thereby failing to prevent injury of the
driver/passenger.

[0028]In addition, since the guide plate 14 has a simple plate structure
which is not very strong, when the airbag tube 16 is deployed, the guide
plate 14 may be rotated with the lower surface of the housing 12 by gas
pressure, thereby contacting the inner panel 6 and sustaining damage.

[0029]As a result, the deployed airbag tube 16 may enter between the
center pillar 2 and the inner panel 6 and thus fail to perform its
function of protecting the driver/passenger. Further, it is not possible
to replace a broken guide plate 14.

[0030]The airbag module installed at the side of the automobile along the
entire side part of a roof liner is generally referred to as a "side
airbag" or "curtain air bag."

[0031]Another problem with the side airbag is that an inner guide may be
deformed due to external impact, and since there is no auxiliary guide
member at both sides of the side airbag, deployment of the airbag may be
obstructed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0032]An object of the present invention is to provide an automobile side
airbag guide plate enabling rapid and stable deployment of an airbag tube
into the automobile, by forming a support bracket for supporting an
airbag module between a roof panel and a head liner and rapidly opening
the head liner using the support bracket when the airbag tube is
deployed, thereby protecting a driver/passenger from injury by banging
against the side of the automobile in a collision.

[0033]Another object of the present invention is to provide an automobile
side airbag guide plate enabling rapid and stable deployment of an airbag
tube into the automobile to protect the driver/passenger from injury in a
collision, by forming a shock absorption part formed of an air layer,
rather than a guide plate, at a lower surface of an airbag housing to
prevent damage of the airbag housing when the airbag tube is deployed.

[0034]Still another object of the present invention is to provide an
automobile side airbag guide plate capable of supporting a lower surface
of an airbag housing, and rapidly and stably guiding an airbag tube into
the automobile when the airbag tube is deployed.

[0035]Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
automobile side airbag guide plate capable of obtaining a more stable
deployment angle of a door of an airbag housing on initial deployment of
an airbag tube through a bent part formed at a bottom surface of a guide
plate, and absorbing impact using the bent part.

[0036]Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
automobile side airbag guide plate enabling orderly deployment of a side
airbag without interference by a center pillar.

[0037]An aspect of the invention provides an automobile side airbag guide
plate including: support brackets disposed at both sides of a center
pillar, fixed to an inner panel between a roof panel and a head liner,
and supporting a lower part of an airbag module, wherein each of the
support brackets comprises: a vertical part fixed to the inner panel
between the roof panel and the head liner; and a horizontal support part
having a hollow part and extending from the vertical part to support the
lower part of the airbag module fixed to the inner panel.

[0038]Another aspect of the invention provides an automobile side airbag
guide plate including an airbag housing having an airbag tube and a door,
wherein the airbag tube is installed in the airbag housing and disposed
at a boundary between the center pillar and the head liner, the door is
opened at one side by the deployed airbag tube, a hollow shock absorption
part is formed under the door of the airbag housing, and a wrinkle part
is installed at one side of the shock absorption part to compress the
shock absorption part when the airbag tube is deployed.

[0039]Still another aspect of the invention provides an automobile side
airbag guide plate including an airbag housing having an airbag tube, a
door, and a guide plate, wherein the airbag tube is installed in the
airbag housing and disposed at a boundary between a center pillar and a
head liner, the door is opened at one side by the deployed airbag tube,
the guide plate is fixed to an inner panel at its one side using a fixing
means, and the guide plate has a support part bent from a lower end
thereof to support a lower surface of the airbag housing.

[0040]Yet another aspect of the invention provides an automobile side
airbag guide plate including a fixing member having an installation hole
into which a bolt is fastened, a support part bent from a lower end of
the fixing member, and an extension part extending from the support part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041]The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:

[0042]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional side airbag of an
automobile;

[0043]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1;

[0044]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a side airbag guide plate in
accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an open state of a head liner after
deployment of the side airbag in accordance with a first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a deployment state of the
side airbag in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;

[0048]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an installation state of an
automobile side airbag in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a deployment state of the
automobile side airbag in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of a shock
absorption part of an automobile side airbag in accordance with the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0051]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a deployment state of the
automobile side airbag of FIG. 9;

[0052]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a side airbag guide plate in
accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0053]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the side airbag guide plate in
accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0054]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a deployment state of an
airbag tube of FIG. 12;

[0055]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a bent part in accordance with
the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0056]FIG. 15 is a front view showing an installation position of a guide
plate in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;

[0057]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an installation structure
of the guide plate in accordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;

[0058]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a guide plate in accordance with
the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0059]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a deployment state of a
side airbag having the guide plate in accordance with the fourth
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

First Exemplary Embodiment

[0060]Hereinafter, a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

[0061]As shown in FIG. 3, an airbag module 10 in accordance with the
present invention is supported at its lower surface by a support bracket
100 fixed to an inner panel 6 between a roof panel (not shown) and a head
liner 4.

[0062]Since the airbag module 10 is similar to the conventional art, a
detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, a pair of
support brackets 100 not found in the conventional art will be described
in detail.

[0063]The pair of support brackets 100 are disposed at both sides of a
center pillar 2 and fixed to an inner panel 6 disposed between a roof
panel and a head liner 4. The fixed support brackets 100 have a length
corresponding to an inner side body of the automobile.

[0064]As shown in FIG. 4, the support bracket 100 has an approximate "L"
shape, which includes a vertical part 110 and a horizontal support part
120.

[0065]The vertical part 110 contacts the inner panel 6 between the roof
panel and the head liner 4 and is bolted to the inner panel 6 through
mounting parts 111 at its upper end. The horizontal support part 120
having a hollow part horizontally extends from the vertical part 110 to
support a lower surface of an airbag module 10 fixed to the inner panel
6.

[0066]In this process, as shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal support part 120
is bent downward to a lower end of the vertical part 110 at its one end
to reinforce the horizontal support part 120.

[0067]In addition, the hollow part of the horizontal support part 120 has
a dimension that gradually decreases from the center pillar 2 to its
either end, i.e., an A or C pillar, to supports the airbag module 10.

[0068]Therefore, an airbag tube 16 is sequentially deployed from a rear
end, where an inflator 20 is disposed, to a front end of the automobile.
At this time, the head liner 4 is first opened by a narrow part 122 of
the horizontal support part 120 of the support bracket 100 in a tilted
manner.

[0069]In addition, since the airbag tube 16 is opened by a wide part 121
of the horizontal support part 120 in a straight manner, the head liner 4
is smoothly and rapidly opened in an opening line shape as shown in FIG.
6.

[0070]Therefore, the airbag tube 16 is rapidly and stably deployed into
the automobile by the smoothly and rapidly opened head liner 4 to protect
the driver/passenger from injury.

[0071]As described above, the airbag module 10 operates by a large amount
of high-pressure gas being introduced from the inflator 20 into the
airbag tube 16 folded in the housing such that the airbag tube 16
inflates at a high speed and under high pressure from a rear end, where
the inflator 20 is disposed, to a front end of the automobile, thereby
detaching and opening a door 12b of the housing 12 from the housing 12.

[0072]The expanding airbag tube 16 presses the head liner 4 through the
door 12b detached from the housing 12 to open the head liner 4.

[0073]Meanwhile, the head liner 4 is sequentially opened from the rear
end, where the inflator 20 is disposed, to the front end of the
automobile, similar to the deployment sequence of the airbag tube 16.
That is, the head liner 4 is smoothly and rapidly opened by the
horizontal support part 120 of the support bracket 100 in sequence of the
narrow part 122, the wide part 121, and the narrow part 122, as shown in
FIG. 5.

[0074]As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the airbag tube 16 is rapidly and
stably deployed into the automobile, and the deployed airbag tube 16
covers the entire inner side part of the automobile, thereby protecting a
driver/passenger from injury.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

[0075]Hereinafter, a second exemplary embodiment in accordance with the
present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

[0076]An airbag module 10A has an airbag housing 12 in which an airbag
tube 16 is disposed. The airbag housing 12 has a mounting part 12a bolted
to a chassis, i.e., an inner panel 6, between a roof panel (not shown)
and a head liner 4.

[0077]The airbag housing 12 bolted to the inner panel 6 is disposed
adjacent to a boundary between a center pillar 2 and the head liner 4.

[0078]In addition, the airbag housing 12 has a door 12b installed at its
one surface opposite to the head liner 4 and opened by the inflating
airbag tube 16.

[0079]Further, the door 12b is detached and opened from the housing 12 at
its lower end when the airbag tube 16 is deployed. The door 12b has a
tear line 13a having an approximately "V" shape groove and formed along
the lower end and both side ends to facilitate detachment of the door
12b.

[0080]Furthermore, the airbag housing 12 has a hollow shock absorption
part 130 integrally formed with a lower part of the housing 12 adjacent
to the center pillar 2, both of its ends open, and in contact with the
inner panel 6.

[0081]In addition, the shock absorption part 130 has an upper surface 132
functioning as a bottom surface of the housing 12, a vertical surface 136
extending from one end of the upper surface 132 and in fixed contact with
the inner panel 6, and a wrinkled part 134 connecting the other end of
the upper surface 132 and a lower end of the vertical surface 136.

[0082]At this time, the shock absorption part 130 may be formed of the
same material as the housing 12, which is preferably a flexible material
having a predetermined elasticity for smooth compression and shock
absorption of the wrinkled part 134.

[0083]Therefore, the airbag tube 15 is deployed as the wrinkled part 134
is compressed and the upper surface of the shock absorption part 130 is
pushed downward. The shock absorption part 130 is instantly deformed and
restored to absorb shock by compression of the wrinkled part 134 and the
shock absorption of the shock absorption part 130.

[0084]As shown in FIG. 7, the upper surface of the shock absorption part
130 is disposed at the same level as the upper end of the center pillar
2, or higher, thereby preventing interference between the deployed airbag
tube 16 and the center pillar 2.

[0085]Therefore, since the airbag tube 16 is deployed at high speed and
high pressure to prevent interference by the center pillar 2, the airbag
tube 16 can be stably deployed into a space between the center pillar 2
and the inner panel 6.

[0086]In addition, in order to stably guide deployment of the airbag tube
16, the lower end of the head liner 4 in contact with the center pillar 2
has a circular shape such that the head liner 4 can be readily detached
from the center pillar 2 when the airbag tube 16 is deployed.

[0087]As shown in FIG. 8, an automobile side airbag guide plate in
accordance with the present invention has an airbag housing 12. A large
amount of high-pressure gas is introduced from an inflator 20 into an
airbag tube 16 folded in the housing 12.

[0088]Then, the airbag tube 16 inflates at high speed and high pressure so
that a lower part of a door 12b of the housing 12 is torn along a tear
line 13a to be detached from the housing 12 and opened.

[0089]The airbag tube 16 forces the door 12b of the housing 12, detached
and rotated from the housing 12, into contact with the head liner 4 to
push the head liner 4 out.

[0090]A lower end of the head liner 4 in contact with the center pillar 2
has a circular shape so that the airbag tube 16 is readily separated from
an upper end of the center pillar 2 to be stably deployed into the
automobile.

[0091]Expansion force of the airbag tube 16 is transmitted to the shock
absorption part 130 formed at a lower part of the housing 12 to compress
a wrinkled part 134 formed at a curved surface of the absorption part
130, thereby opening an upper surface 132 of the shock absorption part
130.

[0092]Since the upper surface 132 of the shock absorption part 130 is
disposed higher than the upper end of the center pillar 2, the airbag
tube 16 can be rapidly and smoothly deployed into the automobile without
interference by the center pillar 2 to protect the driver/passenger from
injury.

[0093]Meanwhile, FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the shock absorption part of
the side airbag guide plate in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as in the
above-described exemplary embodiments are designated by the same
reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0094]As shown in FIG. 9, the shock absorption part 130' has an upper
surface 132' and a vertical surface 136' extending to both ends of a
wrinkled part 134 to form thick parts. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10,
the thick parts absorb shock applied to the shock absorption part 130' to
prevent damage and breakage of the shock absorption part 130', without
hindering compressing of the wrinkled part 134 when the airbag module 10B
is deployed.

[0096]Hereinafter, a third exemplary embodiment in accordance with the
present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

[0097]As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, an airbag module 10C of the third
exemplary embodiment includes an airbag tube 16 folded several times
therein, an airbag housing 12, in which the airbag tube 16 is disposed,
the airbag housing 12 having a door 12b formed at its one side and a
mounting part 12a fixed to an inner panel 6 through a bolt at its upper
end, and an inflator 20 connected to a rear end of the airbag tube 16 to
inject a large amount of high-pressure gas thereinto.

[0098]In this process, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the side airbag guide
plate in accordance with the present invention resiliently supports a
bottom surface of the airbag housing 12 of the airbag module 10C to
stably guide the airbag tube into the automobile when the airbag tube 16
inflates.

[0099]In addition, the guide plate 140 is formed of a metal material, and
has insertion holes 141 through which the guide plate 140 is fixed to an
inner panel 6 by bolts. A projection 142 is formed between the insertion
holes 141 to be in close contact with one surface of the airbag housing
12, and a support part 143 is bent from a lower end of the guide plate
140 to support a lower surface of the airbag housing 12.

[0100]In this process, the support part 143 has a bent part 144
longitudinally extending in an "L" shape from one surface thereof. The
bent part 144 absorbs shock generated when the lower part of the door 12b
of the airbag housing 12 is instantly bent and restored upon expansion of
the airbag tube 16, thereby preventing damage and deformation of the
support part 143.

[0101]The bent part 144 may have a height such that the door 12b of the
airbag housing 12 is disposed at a level higher than or the same as the
upper end of the center pillar 2 when the airbag tube 16 is deployed.

[0102]When the door 12b of the airbag housing 12 is bent downward by the
bent part 144, a lower part of the door 12b should be disposed at a lever
higher than or the same as the upper end of the center pillar 2 to
prevent the aitag tube 16 from being deployed between the inner panel 6
and the center pillar 2.

[0103]In addition, the guide plate 140 has a plurality of elongated holes
146 to reduce its weight and material cost.

[0104]The guide plate 140 has fixing pieces 145 bent from the projection
142 and between which a fixing plate 40 is inserted to fix the airbag
housing 12.

[0105]The fixing pieces 145 are formed by punching three sides of the
projection 142 using a punching machine and bending it toward the airbag
housing 12 by 90°. Then, the fixing plate 40 for fixing the airbag
housing 12 is inserted between the fixing pieces 145 through grooves
formed at a surface of the fixing plate 40, and the fixing pieces 145 are
bent onto the fixing plate 40 by 90° again, thereby fixing the
fixing plate 40.

[0106]Hereinafter, assembly and use of the side airbag guide plate as
constituted above will be described in detail.

[0107]An operator fixes the support part 130 of the guide plate 140 to the
inner panel 6 through the insertion holes 141 using the fixing means 30.

[0108]Then, the groove of the fixing plate 40 for fixing the airbag
housing 12 is inserted between the fixing pieces 145 of the guide plate
140, and the fixing pieces 145 are bent to fix the fixing plate 40,
thereby completing fixation of the airbag module 10C using the guide
plate 140 and the fixing plate 40.

[0109]Next, when a large amount of high-pressure gas is injected into the
airbag tube 16 from the inflator 20 upon collision of the automobile, the
airbag tube 16 expands and is deployed through the door 12b of the airbag
housing 12 into the automobile through the head liner 4.

[0110]At this time, rotation of the lower part of the door 12b is limited
by the support part 143 of the guide plate 140 to prevent entry of the
airbag tube 16 between the center pillar 2 and the inner panel 6.

[0111]Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, when high-pressure gas is injected
into the airbag tube 16, it is possible to absorb shock generated when
the lower part of the door 12b is instantly bent and restored by the bent
part 144 of the guide plate 140, and thus enable more stable deployment
of the airbag tube 16.

[0112]FIG. 14 illustrates a bent part in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The bent part 144' is bent from one
side of a support part 143' in a tilted manner.

[0113]The bent part 144' is guided when a lower part of the door 12b of
the airbag housing 12 is broken off, thereby preventing deformation or
damage of the lower part 12b due to instant bending.

[0114]In addition, a coating layer 170 may be formed on a surface of the
guide plate 140. The coating layer 170 may be formed of synthetic resin
or fabric, and covers the support part 143 or 143' of the guide plate 140
and the bent part 144 or 144', thereby preventing damage or tearing
thereof due to sharp parts.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

[0115]Hereinafter, a fourth exemplary embodiment in accordance with the
present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18.

[0116]As shown, an airbag module 10D installed in a roof side panel 200 is
fixed to a front pillar 500 at its front part through the medium of a
buckle, and connected to a rear pillar 700 at its rear part, in which an
inflator 20 is installed. Also, a guide plate 300 is installed at the
roof side panel 200 on the center pillar 2, and a side airbag housing 12
is disposed on a support part 330 of the guide plate 300.

[0117]While not shown, the airbag module 10D includes a sensor for
detecting a collision, and an electronic control unit for receiving a
signal from the sensor and operating the inflator 20.

[0118]As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the guide plate 300 is disposed between
the roof side panel 200 and the head liner 4, and fixed to the roof side
panel 200.

[0119]The guide plate 300 has a support part 330 bent from a lower part of
the fixing member 310, and fixed to the roof side panel 200 through an
installation hole 311 formed at the fixing member 310 using a bolt.

[0120]In addition, fixing hooks 312 formed at both sides of the
installation hole 311 are hooked and fixed to hooking grooves (not shown)
formed at the roof side panel 200 to prevent the guide plate 300 from
being rotated, thereby improving stability of the guide plate 300.

[0121]Meanwhile, the support part 330 has a guide part 332 formed at its
one end and bent downward, thereby preventing the airbag module 10D from
being deployed between the roof side panel 200 and the head liner 4.

[0122]Describing the guide plate 300 in detail with reference to FIG. 17,
the guide plate 300 includes a fixing member 310 for installing the guide
plate 300 at the roof side panel 200, and a support part 330 smoothly
bent from the fixing member 310 and having extension parts 331.

[0123]In addition, the fixing member 310 has an installation hole 311,
through which a bolt passes, when the guide plate 300 is mounted on the
roof side panel 200. Rectangular holes are formed at both sides of the
installation hole 311, and fixing hooks 312 are bent from one side of the
rectangular holes.

[0124]Here, the support part 330 is bent from the guide plate 300 and
disposed opposite to the fixing member 310, and the extension parts 331
extend from both sides of the support part 330 to facilitate sequential
deployment of the airbag.

[0125]Meanwhile, the extended part 331 may be formed at one side of the
support plate 330, at which the inflator 20 is disposed (see FIG. 17B).

[0126]In addition, a guide part 332 is bent at a right angle to an end of
the support part 330 such that the airbag module 10D opens the head liner
4 for deployment into the automobile not into the center pillar.

[0127]Further, as shown in FIG. 18, when the automobile collides with an
object, high-pressure gas is injected into the airbag tube 16 in response
to a signal from a sensor such that the airbag tube rapidly expands into
the automobile.

[0128]At this time, the airbag tube 16 initially expands from a side of
the inflator to open the head liner 45, thereby being deployed into the
automobile. The extension parts 331 formed at the guide plate 300
disposed at the center pillar 2 guide deployment of the airbag module 10D
into the automobile.

[0129]That is, the airbag module 10D is deployed by the extension parts
331 at a certain angle.

[0130]Since the airbag module 10D is deployed toward an opposite door
before arriving at the center pillar 2, it is possible to deploy the
airbag tube into the automobile without interference by the projected
center pillar 2. Then, the airbag tube is sequentially deployed toward a
bottom of the automobile just behind the projected center pillar 2 to
protect the driver/passenger.

[0131]In addition, the guide part 332 functions to prevent the airbag
module 10D from being deployed inside the center pillar 2, and guide the
airbag module 10D into the automobile without interference by an end of
the center pillar 2.

[0132]As can be seen from the foregoing, a side airbag guide plate in
accordance with the present invention enables smooth and rapid opening of
a head liner using a support bracket when an airbag tube is deployed,
thus facilitating rapid and stable deployment of the airbag tube into the
automobile to protect the driver/passenger from injury.

[0133]In addition, it is possible to prevent damage of an airbag housing
upon deployment of the airbag tube using a shock absorption part. The
shock absorption part of the airbag housing also guides deployment of the
airbag tube. Specifically, the shock absorption part has a stable
deployment angle (obtained by full compression) during initial deployment
of the airbag tube, and a smooth deployment angle (resulting from partial
restoration after shock absorption) during intermediate deployment or
after deployment, thereby facilitating smooth deployment of the airbag
tube.

[0134]Further, a support part of the guide plate supports a lower surface
of the side airbag to stably introduce the airbag tube into the
automobile upon deployment thereof. Furthermore, if the support part is
broken, it can be easily fixed or replaced. In addition, extension parts
of the guide plate guide deployment of the side airbag to prevent
interference by the center pillar, thereby facilitating smooth, orderly
deployment of the side airbag.

[0135]While this invention has been described with reference to exemplary
embodiments thereof, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the
art to which the invention pertains that various modifications may be
made to the described exemplary embodiments without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and
their equivalents.

Patent applications by Byoung-Sun Yoo, Seoul KR

Patent applications by DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Patent applications in class Mounted in vehicle and positioned laterally of occupant

Patent applications in all subclasses Mounted in vehicle and positioned laterally of occupant